^Yep. Mp's. The mids all cracked (but one). They're strung up and ready. Hit with one the first time out, stock w/ just 3gr at 12. Great sticks. They're keepers, unless I decide to trade them in to TW (along with everything else) for some vCore 100's. :smile: Then we'll know I have a problem.

Nice! I've done that many times, I always feel like a junkie carrying around his own syringes

Click to expand...

Yeah, people stare. It's odd but making changes to your set-up mid-match let's you know right away the benefits/detriments.
------
Perfect time for your son to enjoy the Greek isles in the aegean. I've been to all those islands and the end of May is a great time. End of Spring, beginning of summer, less tourists and the locals aren't yet tired of their seasonal jobs.

Worried about my homeland. It'll take an exit from the EU, a re-adoption of the drachma and control of a Greek central bank (instead of Brussels) to get out. Even then, super-inflation and instability will plague Greece for years to come, until some solidity can be achieved. Sarkozy was right, there is a butter/olive oil line in Europe and those countries are separated by distinct differences in economic and social structures.

BTW, we shall be sending updated details soon on the actual medal-giving ceremony itself, which as tradition dictates, will be taking place in the diverting surroundings of Amsterdam's red-light district.

I know what you're talking about. Most sticks after some time bugged me so I kept switching and switching and switching...

I'm currently settled, again I might add, on my Yonex Pro RD 70 MP Longs. Although I had 7 (or 8) I sold most of them and left only a matched and customized pair, one of the reason was that I only have 2 spare grommet sets.

However if TW Europe sells a Prince Graphite Longbody, I'll buy some and switch to them, yet again, when I beat up my Pro RDs.

For services rendered in the field of excessive tennis racket usage, on behalf of The International Racketaholics Diary Dudes Committee, it is my great privilege and pleasure to hereby award you The Distinguished Racketaholics Medal of Service.

BTW, we shall be sending updated details soon on the actual medal-giving ceremony itself, which as tradition dictates, will be taking place in the diverting surroundings of Amsterdam's red-light district.

Please also note:

Your designated driver in Amsterdam shall be Dave M.

Please liaise with Meaghan re alcohol and other 'provisions'.

Please liaise with klem re lap-dancing club arrangements.

Please liaise with Fed re the transportation of a small delivery we would very much appreciate you bringing it Holland. Fed can fill you in on specific details, but the delivery would be ingestible, odorless, and guaranteed to be 100% entirely undetectable.

For services rendered in the field of excessive tennis racket usage, on behalf of The International Racketaholics Diary Dudes Committee, it is my great privilege and pleasure to hereby award you The Distinguished Racketaholics Medal of Service.

After a very tiring holiday and a spaced out match practise yesterday Im loving the fact that UK television is showing full coverae of Roland Garros........so as Im feeling completely knackered I am happy to be slovenly reclumbent avec cuppa tea, sligtly nodding but full of focus for my favourite red clay play

Not much playing of late. Monsoon-like rain in London for weeks. Too much on the work front - etcetera. But now the sun has arrived this week, and from very little for weeks I'm now looking at two games in two days starting tomorrow. So, armed with a bag full of APDOs, and having worked a bit recently on some basic footwork stuff and a little fh/2hbh technique tweaking, I've got to say I'm really looking forward to strutting my stuff out there on the court once more.

BTW, Any RHs discovered a racket lately that's completely blown their minds and in aesthetic and results terms can now rightly be deemed the orgasmatronic nirvanic holy grail racketaholics racket of rackets? :lol:

Click to expand...

That may be to overstate things but I played and hit with the Mantis 315 Tour again this weekend and, again with the little extra weight in the throat, continued to really enjoy the racket. When I first played it I didn't see power for the TW power rating of low-medium but increasingly I think they are correct (either that or the decent weather we finally had this weekend made everything easier). This racket does have a little extra muscle -- not a lot -- in a very comfortable and stable package. And it has a closed pattern for the feel that I like. So all in all I am really enjoying it.

Klem, where was your shoulder pain? Here is what I have been dealing with forever and it seems to be getting more acute. If I trace my collarbone into my shoulder right at the top I have sharp pains.

Not super bad, but slowly getting worse. Not sure what causes it because the pain was there before the racquet. Maybe it is the weight or balance? I sure hope not because this is the best setup I have used.

I also get it when I throw a ball, so that is why I don't feel that it is racquet related.

Klem, where was your shoulder pain? Here is what I have been dealing with forever and it seems to be getting more acute. If I trace my collarbone into my shoulder right at the top I have sharp pains.

Not super bad, but slowly getting worse. Not sure what causes it because the pain was there before the racquet. Maybe it is the weight or balance? I sure hope not because this is the best setup I have used.

I also get it when I throw a ball, so that is why I don't feel that it is racquet related.

Click to expand...

Oh dear, sounds like the rotator cuff.

I had something similar cus I was bashing around with the Pro staff K88 and the really high sw of 345 and it being 13.2oz really hurt me. Most of the damage seems to come from the serves.

Whenever I slept on my right side it hurt like hell! Stopped playing for a few weeks, went back to my lighter sticks and I recovered... whew!

Klem, where was your shoulder pain? Here is what I have been dealing with forever and it seems to be getting more acute. If I trace my collarbone into my shoulder right at the top I have sharp pains.

Not super bad, but slowly getting worse. Not sure what causes it because the pain was there before the racquet. Maybe it is the weight or balance? I sure hope not because this is the best setup I have used.

I also get it when I throw a ball, so that is why I don't feel that it is racquet related.

Click to expand...

One of 4 my tendons had completely tore and separated, remember mine was suffered during a fall into the boards during a pick-up game of hockey, not tennis related.

I had experienced some sharp pains in my shoulder (similar to what you describe) when using the ksurge w/ full multi at high tensions ~5 ago. But that was probably due to improper technique on serve.

It's probably not racquet related but 'overuse' (ie.serve). If there is any severe tearing, the kind that requires surgery, you would know it. The pain is unbearable.

I would take some off, ~2weeks (no serving and/or exercises requiring full rotation of the shoulder), get some x-rays just to be sure. Stretch it morning and evening and if you sleep in a fetal position, try sleeping on your back or stomach, take the load off of that area. My ortho told me there are over 2 million americans every year who suffer from rotator cuff problems and 50% are caused by bad sleeping habits.

I think it is bad sleep habits. I got an ortho pillow with the u shape and that has helped my neck, but I need to try sleeping on my back I guess. Who knows, I have a league starting up in 2 weeks, so time off will be tough, but I have already taken off 5 days and probably will not play until Wednesday or thursday. I hurt my neck on a bad pillow and it may all be connected to that. A doc told me my upper rib was out of alignment from the bad pillow. My neck was killing me, and still does a little. Tennis annoys all these little injuries but is usually not the cause for me, that is what makes tennis so tricky sometimes.

The only 2 sticks I can think of that I would demo to make sure it's not the PDR are the 95D and the RadPro. I can't really think of anything else that I'd want to try. I think the PDR is fine though.

Good luck with that shoulder, PP. You could always grab a 7G again for the bag as a frame to get you through iffy periods, or the Prince Exo. Sounds like nothing but rest and some advil is the best remedy at the moment.

I hope it's not the stick or technique,considering you've just 'settled down' and gotten comfortable with the PDR. Probably a combination of an old injury, sleeping habits and overuse.

I remember hearing a comment while watching the rome tourney. 20 years ago, players were spending 5hours on court to every hour in the gym/off-court conditioning. Today the ratio is typically 1-5, 1hour of court time to every 5 hours of conditioning. If the rec player could even achieve a 1-1 ratio, I think it would be very beneficial.

I'm pullin' for ya man. It's terrible news to say the least. Even though I get on this forum during my down time (while my other friends are on reddit, facebook and youtube), I still feel a certain 'connection' with all you guys, especially in this thread. I was going to glow about the Vcore100s, but now I feel it is not the proper time. Keep us updated.

Thanks man.i am hoping to be ok, but it may just be an overuse thing. It's something I need to monitor and also really do the throwers 10 as well. I could go play tennis right now and be ok, so it's not that bad, but reading about the different pains and surgeries has me always really watching myself closer than before.

Thanks man.i am hoping to be ok, but it may just be an overuse thing. It's something I need to monitor and also really do the throwers 10 as well. I could go play tennis right now and be ok, so it's not that bad, but reading about the different pains and surgeries has me always really watching myself closer than before.

Now tell us about that 100s.lol.

Click to expand...

I'm feeling for you brother,

I have had shoulder problems off and on for the past 5 years. A few things have really helped keep things in check. A daily regime of stretches and the good old thera band stabilising exercises. Warming up properly is also a massive thing for me. Switching to Sub 60RA sticks like the Exo tour 100's I doubt I would be playing the level I do without this virtual ball cushion. I modified my Serve technique in such a way that I protect my shoulder by snapping the racket thru before the shoulder kinda like Pete Sampras. Hope its something simple and not dramatic.

Thanks man.i am hoping to be ok, but it may just be an overuse thing. It's something I need to monitor and also really do the throwers 10 as well. I could go play tennis right now and be ok, so it's not that bad, but reading about the different pains and surgeries has me always really watching myself closer than before.

Now tell us about that 100s.lol.

Click to expand...

^Hahahaa... :smile:

Well, today I didn't serve at all, really have to watch the frequency of serves after friday and sunday match-play. My friend and I (the ex-baseball player one) want to team up for usta doubles for the fall/winter session, so we grabbed a basket full of balls and hit the courts.

First of all, it's great having someone you can practice with (even if it's once or twice a week) and who actually wants to get better and improve. My wife, any time the temps/humidity are up, just wants to stay home and veg.

I'd feed him a basket full of balls and then he the same. I practiced ground strokes and net play with the vCore 100s.

The Yonex is just so accepting of spin it's ridiculous. I can take full advantage of more extreme grips off of both wings, which leads to some serious angles and set-up shots following.

I toned down the lead at 3&9 to just 5grams and there is still plenty of power. Just effortless depth. The only slight down-fall for me is the slicing, both back-hand and forehand. Really have to be mindful of my grip, the angle and follow the ball. An area in which my thinner-beamed, lower powered Prestiges and Radicals seem naturally adept at.

Up at net it has wonderful response. The sweet spot is just ginormous. Not as easy to wrist/punch volleys as thinner beamed sticks but way more forgiving.

The upper hoop on these vCores never ceases to amaze me. The fullest and liveliest feeling upper hoop I've ever experienced. Just so much response up there (which doesn't take well to lead), shots still have great, forgiving pace when hit up there.

I like it and for now it's got the number #1 slot. The elbow feels a little tender at the moment but I think it's just from the different grips I was experimenting with tonight, I never go full western, choked-down on the Radicals.

EDIT: A note about the flex. It's stiff but not harsh. I've seen RA's ranging from 65,66,67, and 68. The BLX90 being a bench mark 65, I'd say this one is right at 67. Feels just as comfy as the ProOpen but less dampened, more raw feeling.

I have had shoulder problems off and on for the past 5 years. A few things have really helped keep things in check. A daily regime of stretches and the good old thera band stabilising exercises. Warming up properly is also a massive thing for me. Switching to Sub 60RA sticks like the Exo tour 100's I doubt I would be playing the level I do without this virtual ball cushion. I modified my Serve technique in such a way that I protect my shoulder by snapping the racket thru before the shoulder kinda like Pete Sampras. Hope its something simple and not dramatic.

BigM

Click to expand...

Completely, 100% agree. Stretch bands are a must, especially for prevention, and should be used regardless of the presence of strain/pain.

I stretch the shoulders/back/neck before I go to bed (10min), have changed my sleeping habits, stretch for 5min when I wake up. At work during lunch. If I'm hitting that day, I'll show up to the courts 15-20min earlier, attach the stretch band to the fence and stretch, then the same after I get done.

Sorry to hear of this injury flare up and hope it passes. Re PDR, I have to say I did find the old PDR/C to be a harsh-hit, and lots of ppl seem to have experienced issues here... Power, re the VCores, which interests you more and why - 95D or 100S?

On another matter, interesting that now I have a number of APDO's to rotate and experiment with I'm now really favoring a way smaller grip size and have dropped down one. Just feels altogether better like that for me.

BDR and QTour heading back to TW tomorrow. Both very good frames, neither are that goldilocks "just right" fit for me, though. With the Q Tour I wanted a tad more thump, with the BDR I wanted a tad less thump.

Props to Babolat for making these feel a lot better/more muted than previous versions. Still a stiff frame, no question, but the feedback during play is not as jarringly stiff as before. Gotta say, some of the shots you can pull off from the back of the court with the Roddick are just unfair. But that springy, trampoliney feeling stringbed that allowed for some of those launching goat shots from the baseline, I just don't know if I could ever get around to trusting it on approach shots, where I never felt total control over what the ball was going to do. Super fun frame. Beastly from the back. A tad unpredictable for me when I moved closer in.

Conversely, the Q is all about control, solid all around but fewer standout characteristics for me personally when compared to my current PKs, the 7G and Ace Mid. If they'd made this one a little lighter so as to allow for some easier access to racquet head speed to match up with that control, then I think it would have been a money stick for me personally. But as it was I had to work a little too hard to effortlessly rip the ball through the court continuously, especially on serve where I just wasn't getting any easy pace.

I may have started the irritation doing pullups..I simply should not be doing them I dont think.

Click to expand...

Now that I think about it, you may be onto something there. Just finished, the Big Miss about Tiger W. and IIRC, he injured his shoulder pretty good doing pullups. His trainer said they were overly stressful for golf and tennis.

So I took Klem's advice and slept on my back. I feel like that is going to have to be key. It was not that bad..who knows if I snored like a beast, but I have a foam bed and an ortho pillow so I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in. This could be a good thing for me, I'd imagine the rest is more efficient when you don't toss and turn.

I need to check sports authority for some stretch bands. A lot of the pros use those things before they play and I see no reason not to.

As for the BDR, yeah approach shots will not be as easy at first, but that is the PITA of demoing, you don't get enough time to adapt to the stick. All you really have to do with the approaches is swing a little more relaxed. Basically I tell myself the closer I move in, the less I need to swing. Of course the string setup I use is so conducive to spin that this helps as well, and it also helped me develop a much more controlled swing.

ross, probably the 95D. That seems like the best offering to me. Once I changed my technique, the light sticks now just feel too light when I hit. I also feel like a shoulder friendly stick would have a SW thats not super high, and so I feel like I'd have to make that up in static weight. I am curious how the stick hits in terms of spin and power and how it compares to the wilson 6.1. I hit a lot of loopers, but I also can drive the ball as well, and I could do both with the 6.1. I was shanking more though with it than normal for a while though.

I'd still use gut/poly as well. Anyway, it's just tough to go anywhere once you have the BDR with the right string setup. Kind of depressing in a way..lol.

So I took Klem's advice and slept on my back. I feel like that is going to have to be key. It was not that bad..who knows if I snored like a beast, but I have a foam bed and an ortho pillow so I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in. This could be a good thing for me, I'd imagine the rest is more efficient when you don't toss and turn.

I need to check sports authority for some stretch bands. A lot of the pros use those things before they play and I see no reason not to.

As for the BDR, yeah approach shots will not be as easy at first, but that is the PITA of demoing, you don't get enough time to adapt to the stick. All you really have to do with the approaches is swing a little more relaxed. Basically I tell myself the closer I move in, the less I need to swing. Of course the string setup I use is so conducive to spin that this helps as well, and it also helped me develop a much more controlled swing.

ross, probably the 95D. That seems like the best offering to me. Once I changed my technique, the light sticks now just feel too light when I hit. I also feel like a shoulder friendly stick would have a SW thats not super high, and so I feel like I'd have to make that up in static weight. I am curious how the stick hits in terms of spin and power and how it compares to the wilson 6.1. I hit a lot of loopers, but I also can drive the ball as well, and I could do both with the 6.1. I was shanking more though with it than normal for a while though.

I'd still use gut/poly as well. Anyway, it's just tough to go anywhere once you have the BDR with the right string setup. Kind of depressing in a way..lol.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the Yonex family...
You take the front and I will cover the back...

So I took Klem's advice and slept on my back. I feel like that is going to have to be key. It was not that bad..who knows if I snored like a beast, but I have a foam bed and an ortho pillow so I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in. This could be a good thing for me, I'd imagine the rest is more efficient when you don't toss and turn.

I need to check sports authority for some stretch bands. A lot of the pros use those things before they play and I see no reason not to.

As for the BDR, yeah approach shots will not be as easy at first, but that is the PITA of demoing, you don't get enough time to adapt to the stick. All you really have to do with the approaches is swing a little more relaxed. Basically I tell myself the closer I move in, the less I need to swing. Of course the string setup I use is so conducive to spin that this helps as well, and it also helped me develop a much more controlled swing.

ross, probably the 95D. That seems like the best offering to me. Once I changed my technique, the light sticks now just feel too light when I hit. I also feel like a shoulder friendly stick would have a SW thats not super high, and so I feel like I'd have to make that up in static weight. I am curious how the stick hits in terms of spin and power and how it compares to the wilson 6.1. I hit a lot of loopers, but I also can drive the ball as well, and I could do both with the 6.1. I was shanking more though with it than normal for a while though.

I'd still use gut/poly as well. Anyway, it's just tough to go anywhere once you have the BDR with the right string setup. Kind of depressing in a way..lol.

Click to expand...

I know you're saying it isn't the frame PP, but I'm now back-tracking a bit in my desire to check out the BDR. I just recall the older PDR being too stiff and taking its toll a bit in bone-jarring way - and so many ppl seem to think it's just that kind of a frame. Also, my APDO's are 67 compared to the 70+ RA of those PDRs and maybe that's kind of where I'm happiest as I so seem to find such racs (TF 315, Extreme Pro, to name but 2) a tiny bit too stiff. We'll see anyhow.

Well don't let me discourage you. I truly do not think this is the frame, but I will demo another just to see in a few weeks. I think a lot of my injuries start with weightlifting, so I have to watch what I do and what exercises annoy my joints.

I am switching to incline bench over flat..no pullups..doing more light dumbbells on the shoulders and not doing pulldowns..sleeping on my back..etc.

I know you're saying it isn't the frame PP, but I'm now back-tracking a bit in my desire to check out the BDR. I just recall the older PDR being too stiff and taking its toll a bit in bone-jarring way - and so many ppl seem to think it's just that kind of a frame. Also, my APDO's are 67 compared to the 70+ RA of those PDRs and maybe that's kind of where I'm happiest as I so seem to find such racs (TF 315, Extreme Pro, to name but 2) a tiny bit too stiff. We'll see anyhow.

Click to expand...

^ Agreed. Heavier sticks (12+oz) should not be overly stiff. The whole point of extra stiff frames is to make them more stable while cutting down on the weight. 67 is the farthest I'll go. RA numbers are subjective though, some feel their stiffness and others don't.

So I took Klem's advice and slept on my back. I feel like that is going to have to be key. It was not that bad..who knows if I snored like a beast.

I need to check sports authority for some stretch bands. A lot of the pros use those things before they play and I see no reason not to.

Click to expand...

Yeah, you'll snore :smile: but you can also turn on your stomach or fetal position on your left side w/ the pillow. Just stay away from that right side and putting pressure on it (and the tendons) for 7+ hours during sleep, I can't tell how much difference it makes. You'll notice it in 4-5 days, if not immediately. YOU DON"T HAVE ANY STRETCH BANDS!!!???!!??? GET ON THAT ASAP!!! PRONTO!!! The band type and bungee w/ clips for various exercises!!!

As far as the stick. While I think it's not the cause (especially with gut mains) it certainly is not helping. A stick like the PDR, after og and damp-no lead, is around 12.2oz and that's far too weighty for that stiffness.

It would be fine if you played once or twice a week but any more frequency than that and it gets problematic imo. Especially if you're playing 4.0-5.0 league play/competition, which are like mini-battles within themselves. They can take a toll on you.

Welcome to the Yonex family...
You take the front and I will cover the back...

Click to expand...

Welcome back to TT Syke. A little disappointed when I saw you took a little vacation to ban-city. Glad you're back, strictly for avatar purposes :smile:

--------
At work after a 4-day holiday break. Would rather be water-boarded at this point... or worse, endure a trip to the GAP for window shopping and ponder where is the factory which pumps out all these clones.

Klem, where was your shoulder pain? Here is what I have been dealing with forever and it seems to be getting more acute. If I trace my collarbone into my shoulder right at the top I have sharp pains.

Not super bad, but slowly getting worse. Not sure what causes it because the pain was there before the racquet. Maybe it is the weight or balance? I sure hope not because this is the best setup I have used.

I also get it when I throw a ball, so that is why I don't feel that it is racquet related.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you have an AC joint injury. Really common with those who lift weights. Try and see if it gets worse the day after the bench press. Also if it is an ac injury it will likely get a little worse every time after playing tennis. IF its and ac injury more than likely it was not tennis that caused it but it will aggravate and make it worse. Unfortunately it's tough to rehab these without surgery. I went through the surgery after getting a couple of corizone injections. It finally got to the point where I cound't even lift a glass of water without it killing.

I now have it in my left shoulder. It doesn't affect my tennis at all with my left shoulder, so now I just decided to cut out all chest excersises. I could continue to fight through it but it would kill in the middle of the night and I got sick of that. I really don't want to pay the copay for another surgery. Otherwise I would just have it again in my left shoulder.

Thankfully the surgery is a piece of cake and I was back playing in about 3 months.

Klem how heavy can I go? I am wondering if the SW is really high on the leaded up PDR as well and that is also causing this.

Is the 95d acceptable? 11.5 sticks feel like toothpicks now so I can't really jive with them. The 95D is under 65 RA and is balanced more HL. I know the wilson to me is stiffer than the PDR in feel and much heavier, so I can't go back to that. 95d seems like a happy medium.

Gator that sounds closer..uggh. what a PITA..hoping I can use the bands and make some changes and see what happens.

I have hurt my shoulder sleeping before..pinched a nerve and couldnt do a darn thing for weeks.

So what's the story on this Rich? Any news from Paul and any new venture you'd care to divulge?

Click to expand...

got an email....instead of spending money going thro the courts Paul's rebranding and distancing himself from Vantage USA, got his china manufacturers on his side and a new batch of Angell sticks on their way. I will deffo have a couple of 95's, have been wanting to try a custom again.